LONG-TERM STUDY OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS DURING A REORGANISATION IN ROYAL MAIL

摘要

Royal Mail introduced new mail delivery patterns nationally in 2003/4, replacing the first and second deliveries with one longer single daily delivery. Musculoskeletal problems and stress related conditions were monitored from sick absence records over a 21 month period in 30 delivery offices (over 3000 employees) to ensure that longer spans did not adversely affect delivery personnel. The results showed a peak in sick absence due to musculoskeletal problems and stress related conditions around the time of the reorganisation in the majority, but not all offices and this returned below the levels prior to implementation before the end of the study. This picture was also reflected in the national sick absence rates for Royal Mail. The level of sick absence was affected by the type of delivery equipment (i.e. trolleys, cycles or foot), used in the offices.